The National tribune., 1887-09-29
OF THE INTERIOR,

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU or PENSIONS
ARMY AND NAVY SURVIVORS, DIVISION.
WAsIIISGToS. ID. c., Aug. %, 1897.
Col. Il. B GRAY, Adjutant-General, GAR, Madi-
son. Wis
SIR: In acknowledging receip. Of your favor of
the nth inst. herewith forward to you n copy of
the annual report OF the Chief Of the Army and
Navy Survivors Division made to the Commis-
sioner OF Pensions July 1. 1887. From the tabu-
lated statement forming part thereof you will
readily see the amount of work accomplished dur
inG the past fiscal year. and although there is no
separate count made therein Of answers to calls
from members of the Grand Army of the Republic
the records of the Division show that a little more
than one-fourth OF the whole number of names
fuTnished--l5S22 S227-have been supplied to the COM
rades Of the GAR. These calls have increased in
number fully One-half during thC past six months
or since the issuance of General Orders No. 5.
There Is still n large number Of Posts of the
GA. y from which returns have not been received
and 1t Is again suggested that Post officers be re-
quested to furnish this Bureau with copies of their
rosters, also statements of any and all changes that
may occur therein, such death. transfer. change
of residence. etc Service cards will at all times
be promptly forwarded upon application made for
same to- the Commissioner of Pensions.
In the course of the general business of the Di-
vision IL often becomes necessary to correspond
with members of the G.. A r. for information rela-
tive to pOstOfiiee addresses of comrades whose
evidence may be especially called for All such in
quiries invariably receive prompt replies and the
Army and Navy Survivors Division is under espe-
eiai obligation to all officers and members of the
GA. T.. and take this opportunity to extend sin
cero thanks for courtesy so frequently extended.
FRASK A. BUTTS, Chief Of Division.
BY direction OF Hon. JOHN C. BLACK, COmmis-
siOncr.
1t will thus be seen that about 1000 names have
been furnished comrades of the Order by this Di-
vision To assist in obtaining evidence to be used in
prosecuting claims for pensions. This method is
direct, busincss-like and effective.
desire to thank the Commissioner of Pensions
and his able corps of assistants for uniform courtesy
and prompt response to- every inquiry.
DEPARTMENT ENCAaIPMENTs.
The time for holding Department Encampments
this year covered the months Of January, February
March and April, one-third Of the year. during
which time. and for a month thereafter while
waiting reports, this office necessarily without
a complete National Roster and not in official COM
munication with all the Departments. We're these
meetings all held in january and February the
business of the Order would be greatly facilitated.
In conclusion the Adjutant-Genera says:
The second quarter Of 1887, March 81 to June 80.
number in good standing" in the Order. that
insert following this report. table showing gains
and losses by Departments. covering that time.
HISTORY or THE ORDER.
Ny comrades, the time has come when some re-
sponslbie member OF our Order should be induced
tO undertake the preparation of its history, under
the sanction of this Encampment, and / trust be-
fore your deliberations close. this may be accom-
piished.
The work of this Office has been arduous: but
II has been rendered pleasant by the kindness and
lFtternal cOhulct OF all the comrades with whom
have had business relations.
Not request for information has been made
during the year To the Commander Of Depart
ment. or an Assistant Adjutant- General which has
failed TO receive prompt and cordial response.
desire To assure these comrades that every courtesy
has been appreciated
IL Is just 10 say in this connection that the warm
est thank due and are hereby given to Comrades
Beath, Cameron Taiutor and Taylor who have in
vRTigbly bestowed timely advice and substantial
assistance whenever asked.
COmTnde FarChild your DPrsOnal Kindness vour
constant forbearance and your expressed appreci-
alton of my endeavors in the field to which you
assigned me year ago. will be "a source of gratf-
cation to me while life lasts. I thank you for
them all
Submitted in F. c. and L.,
T.. Il. GRAY, Adjutant-GeneraI.